World Sparrow Day: Save these creatures while you still can
We had a very beautiful artificial climber with very real-looking bright pink flowers hanging from the ceiling of our drawing-room. Sparrows would often fly in, hover around the climber, and sometimes poop. As a kid, I was amazed by their audacity as this intrusion prevented us from using the ceiling fan. But I soon realized how desperate they were to build a nest.
What is World Sparrow Day?
World Sparrow Day aims to raise awareness about the threat to sparrows in urban environments and conserve house sparrows to appreciate the beauty of the common biodiversity. Observed on March 20 every year, it is an international initiative taken by the Nature Forever Society of India in collaboration with several international organizations. The first World Sparrow Day was observed in 2010.
Reasons for the decline of sparrows
Fewer trees are one of the main reasons behind the decline of various birds. Lack of cavity-nesting is also another reason that you see fewer sparrows. Newer buildings have a different structure that does not have many cavities to allow sparrows to build nests, especially buildings covered in glass. The radiation created by mobile towers damages their immune and nervous system and navigating sensors.
How to be sparrow-friendly?
With summer approaching, keep a bowl or cup filled with water for sparrows to drink and bathe in. Sprinkle some grains on your balcony or the terrace to feed sparrows. Introduce more greenery to your home. Small plants invite sparrows in for a feast of worms and baby leaves. Install a small sparrow house and place it by your window or balcony.
Why advocate for sparrows?
Can you imagine your childhood without the chirps of sparrows? Furthermore, the house sparrow signifies many common bird species and is treated as their ambassador. Therefore, by conserving house sparrows, we will also be indirectly conserving many other urban birds. Installing sparrow houses and baths would make you nostalgic and make the surroundings look super cute as well.
